by Brandon Mull
Something about the way the Niloan moved drew Essix’s gaze back to Jhi. Defended by Greencloaks, the panda remained in a meditative state, swaying rhythmically. Conquerors came at Jhi left and right, but she was well-guarded, especially fiercely by a Zhongese young woman with a pied starling on her shoulder. Improbably, the girl fought with her eyes closed, as if sensing her attackers by sound alone. In a flash of insight, Essix recognized the connection between the sprinting Niloan warrior and the panda. Jhi was with him, enhancing his natural gifts, heightening his senses. No wonder he flowed through the intense combat with such otherworldly grace!
Conquerors rushed to attack Briggan and free Kovo. The wolf had outdistanced his pack, losing his fellow canines as they became mired in the tumult of battle. As the first Conqueror blows fell, Uraza arrived, tearing into the attackers savagely.
Then Gerathon struck, entwining her long body around the leopard in a desperate squeeze. Struggling against the deadly embrace, Uraza became vulnerable not only to Gerathon’s fangs, but to Conqueror spears and swords.
Essix had almost reached the skirmish. She dived recklessly downward, holding her silence to attack with surprise.
The Devourer flung his sword to Kovo. The blade skittered over the ground, coming to a halt just within the ape’s reach. As Briggan turned to snap at a bothersome soldier, Kovo slashed the wolf’s throat, following the murderous strike with further stabs and slashes.
Essix felt each blow as if it had torn her own flesh. The enraged ape lunged to aid Gerathon. Essix tried to hasten her approach, but the wind surged against her. Uraza thrashed against the serpent as Kovo plunged the sword again and again. With the ground rushing closer, Essix glanced back to see Jhi’s Greencloak guardians crumbling. A host of weapons pierced the docile panda, who continued to hold her trancelike focus despite the injuries.
Tembo, the Niloan warrior, had almost reached the Devourer, spear poised to throw. But the saltwater crocodile darted forward, vicious jaws agape. Facing certain doom, the warrior lost his path to the enemy commander.
Essix landed on the crocodile like a whirlwind, her talons tearing at its long jaws.
Sidestepping the scuffle, Tembo came within range and hurled his spear. The sleek weapon found a gap in the armor, impaling the Devourer, who staggered and fell. In that moment King Feliandor looked to Essix like the boy he truly was — a young man caught up in schemes he barely understood. But boy or not, he was the human leader of the Conquerors. And now he was gone.
Essix could only rejoice for an instant.
Club now in hand, Kovo descended upon her. Despite her considerable size, the falcon’s bones were relatively light and fragile. As Jhi fell in the distance, Essix’s body shattered beneath the onslaught.
Left to die, time skipped along in disjointed intervals. Essix heard Kovo shouting in frustration as his soldiers broke ranks. Why were the Conquerors losing heart? Was it the fall of the Devourer?
Essix found it hard to breathe. The scavengers of Stetriol would be the big winners today. Tonight they would feast like kings!
High above, a speck circled, almost at the limit of Essix’s sharp vision. Halawir? Was the eagle here? Was she imagining it?
And then the presence washed over her, like sunrise, and new life, and the cleansing calm that follows mourning. She did not need to see Tellun to know he had arrived. No wonder the Greencloaks had taken heart! No wonder the enemy quailed!
Kovo screamed in frustration. The cries were distant, muted, fading.
Essix could not open her eyes, but she felt the warm breath of the nostrils near her face. Was Tellun trying to heal her? She was too far gone, ruined inside. The elk should help the others. Then, reaching out with what remained of her senses, Essix discovered that Jhi, Briggan, and Uraza were already gone.
Essix failed once more to open her eyes. She was slipping away, but she heard Tellun speak.
“Rest for a season, noble falcon. You have served Erdas well. As you will serve her again.”
And then there was quiet.
Essix rested in the tranquil stillness. She had no desire to rouse her mind. Time lost all meaning. The silence was peaceful and good.
And then, as if dawn had broken, there was a light. A great radiance exploded around her, shifting and liquid, noisy with the gasping of human voices.
Essix opened her eyes, startled by the brilliance, and in it she saw the lean, tan face of a boy, grimy but shrewd. His eyes watched hers with astonishment.
Interesting, Essix thought. With a flurry of wings, she leaped up to the boy’s shoulder and gently pinched her claws into his skin.
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Copyright © 2014 by Scholastic Inc.
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2014940800
e-ISBN 978-0-545-69517-6
Cover design by Charice Silverman
Map illustration by Michael Walton
First edition, November 2014
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